Basketball Training Article

ABSTRACT

A Basketball Training Article is provided and includes a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear. The Basketball Training Article further includes a first gusset and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/919,082, filed Feb. 26, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to basketball training article and method, and more particularly to a training article and method for training a basketball player to more accurately shoot basketball shots.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, the game of basketball is a popular sport in the United States and around the world. Basketball is played as an organized sport not only in national leagues, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), but also in local venues, such as high school league and other local leagues. In fact, in a lot of cases players in local school leagues hope to obtain college scholarships based on their ability to play basketball at the collegiate level. Accordingly, these players are constantly practicing and trying to improve their playing skills, including practicing the types of throws used to shoot the basketball into the basketball hoop, such as layups, jump shots and/or bank shots. As is known, basketball hoops are paired with a basketball backboard, which is attached to and located directed behind the basketball hoop. The basketball backboard typically includes a rectangular portion located directly behind and above the basketball hoop, wherein the rectangular portion is ‘outlined’ by paint, tape or some other material. This rectangular portion is white in color (according to the National Basketball Association rules) and is used to help guide the player in trying to get the ball to go through the hoop.

One skill that is very important is the ability to throw or “shoot” the basketball toward the basketball hoop so that the ball consistently and accurately goes through the basketball hoop. In most shots, this is achieved by throwing the basketball at the area on the backboard behind the hoop that is defined by the rectangular portion. As mentioned previously, this rectangle is meant to help the player by pointing out to the player the area on the backboard where the ball has the greatest chance of going into the basket with basketball shots like layups, jump shots and/or bank shots. Unfortunately, however, the rectangular portion on the backboard is relatively large and does not effectively guide the player in identifying a desired path of the ball. Thus, when a player attempts to shoot a layup, a jump shot and/or a bank shot while in proximity of the basketball hoop, the path of the ball is typically not optimum because they are still not sure of where the ball should hit the backboard. Thus, many times the ball does not go into the basket. This is disadvantageous because the player inevitably gets use to aiming at the wrong spot on the backboard and missing the shot, thereby having a deleterious effect on the players overall game performance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A Basketball Training Article is provided and includes a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear. The Basketball Training Article further includes a first gusset and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.

A Basketball Hoop is provided and includes a basketball hoop rim, a basketball hoop mounting structure and a Basketball Training Article, wherein the Basketball Training Article includes, a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear, wherein the hoop shelf defines a shelf cavity. The Basketball Hoop further includes a first gusset and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.

A Basketball Backboard is provided and includes a backboard front, a backboard top, a backboard bottom, a backboard rear and a Basketball Training Article, wherein the Basketball Training Article includes, a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear, wherein the hoop shelf defines a shelf cavity. The Basketball Backboard further includes a first gusset and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements are numbered alike in the several Figures:

FIG. 1 is a front side, top down perspective view of a Basketball Training Article, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front, side view of a basketball hoop, in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 3A is a front, top down view of the basketball hoop of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B is a front, top down view of the basketball hoop of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3C is a front, side view of the basketball hoop of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front, side view of the basketball hoop of FIG. 2 associated with a basketball backboard, in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the Basketball Training Article of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of Basketball Training Article of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a top down view of the Basketball Training Article of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7B is a top down view of the Basketball Training Article of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7C is a bottom up view of the Basketball Training Article of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7D is a side view of a broom/mop handle, in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 8 is a bottom up, side view of the Basketball Training Article of FIG. 5 associated with a basketball backboard and a basketball hoop, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a basketball training article 100 is provided, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, wherein the basketball training article 100 is configured for use with a basketball backboard 102 having a basketball hoop 104 attached. Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C and FIG. 4, the basketball backboard 102 includes a backboard structure 106 which includes a backboard front 108, a backboard top 110, a backboard bottom 112 and a backboard rear 114. The basketball hoop 104 includes a basketball hoop rim 116 and a basketball hoop mounting structure 118, wherein the basketball hoop rim 116 includes a rim top 120, rim bottom 122, a rim front 124 and a rim rear 126. It should be appreciated that the rim top 120 defines a rim top opening 128, the rim bottom 122 defines a rim bottom opening 130 and the basketball hoop rim 116 defines a rim cavity 132 which communicates the rim top opening 128 with the rim bottom opening 130, such that when an object (i.e. a basketball, for example) enters the rim top opening 128, the object enters and traverses the rim cavity 132 and exits the rim bottom opening 130. The basketball hoop mounting structure 118 includes a mounting structure front 134, a mounting structure rear 136, mounting structure sides 138 and a mounting structure top 140, wherein the mounting structure sides 138 include a mounting structure side height MSSH and wherein the mounting structure top 140 includes a mounting structure top width MSTW.

It should be appreciated that the mounting structure front 134 is securely connected to the rim rear 126 and the mounting structure rear 136 is securely connected with the backboard front 108 to keep the basketball hoop rim 116 a predetermined distance from the backboard front 108, such as for example 0.25 inches. It should be appreciated that the basketball backboard 102 is securely connected to a backboard support post 142 which extends upwardly in a vertical fashion to securely keep the basketball backboard 102 and the basketball hoop 104 at a predetermined height above the ground, such as for example a range of approximately 6 feet to approximately 10 feet.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C, FIG. 7D and again to FIG. 1, the basketball training article 100 is shown, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, wherein the basketball training article 100 includes a hoop shelf 144, a hoop shelf dampening structure 146, a first gusset 148 and a second gusset 150. The first gusset 148 includes a first gusset top plate 152, a first gusset side plate 154, a first gusset rear plate 156 and a first gusset dampening structure 158, wherein the first gusset side plate 154 is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the backboard front 108 and the first gusset rear plate 156 is oriented to be substantially parallel to the backboard front 108. The second gusset 150 includes a second gusset top plate 160, a second gusset side plate 162, a second gusset rear plate 164 and a second gusset dampening structure 166, wherein the second gusset side plate 162 is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to the backboard front 108 and the second gusset rear plate 164 is oriented to be substantially parallel to the backboard front 108. The hoop shelf 144 has a shelf width SW and a shelf depth SD and includes a shelf top 168, a shelf bottom 170, a shelf front 172 and a shelf rear 174, wherein the first gusset 148 and the second gusset 150 are securely connected to the shelf bottom 170 to be located proximate the shelf rear 174 and to define a gusset cavity 176 having a gusset cavity width Z, which is approximately similar to the mounting structure top width MSTW. It should be appreciated that the basketball training article 100 may or may not include the hoop shelf dampening structure 146, the first gusset dampening structure 158 and/or the second gusset dampening structure 166, as desired.

It should be appreciated that the shelf top 168 defines a shelf cavity 178 which extends inwardly from the shelf front 172 toward the shelf rear 174. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the shelf width SW is approximately 24 inches wide (±2.5 inches), the shelf depth SD is approximately 14.5 inches deep (±2 inches) and the shelf cavity 178 is curved in shape (i.e. a half circle) and has a shelf cavity circumference SCC which ranges between approximately 18 inches and approximately 18.25 inches. It should be further appreciated that the shelf cavity circumference SCC is sized and shaped to snugly (or loosely as desired) contain the basketball hoop rim 116. Moreover, in accordance with one embodiment and referring to FIG. 7B, FIG. 7C and FIG. 7D, the shelf bottom 170 and/or the first/second gusset top plate 152, 160 defines at least one handle cavity 200 and a handle cavity opening 202, wherein the at least one handle cavity 200 may include a threaded portion 204 and may be sized and shaped to receive and threadingly engage with the threaded end 206 of a common mop/broom handle 208. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment the handle cavity 200 may go all the way through the hoop shelf 144, while in another embodiment the handle cavity 200 may only go partially through the hoop shelf 144, as desired. Additionally, it should be appreciated that the hoop shelf 144 may include one handle cavity 200 or the hoop shelf 144 may include multiple handle cavities 200, as desired.

It should be appreciated that the hoop shelf dampening structure 146, the first gusset dampening structure 158 and/or the second gusset dampening structure 166 are constructed from a resilient material (such as for example, foam rubber) to absorb impact between the basketball backboard 102/basketball hoop mounting structure 118 and the basketball training article 100. Moreover, it is contemplated that at least one of the first gusset 148 and second gusset 150 may be adjustable to increase or decrease the gusset cavity width Z. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the gusset cavity width Z may range between approximately 7 inches and approximately 8 inches, as desired. It should be appreciated that in at least one embodiment, the basketball training article 100 is disposed to be approximately 0.25 inches from the basketball backboard front 108 (it should be appreciated that the hoop shelf dampening structure 146 or some other material, as desired may be used to fill in this space).

Referring to FIG. 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the basketball training article 100 is associated with the basketball backboard 102 and basketball hoop 104 by placing the basketball training article 100 on the basketball hoop rim 116 such that the basketball hoop mounting structure 118 is located between the first gusset 148 and the second gusset 150. In one embodiment, this may be accomplished by using a ladder and locating the basketball training article 100 relative to the basketball hoop 104 such that the basketball hoop mounting structure 118 is located within the gusset cavity 176. In still yet another embodiment, the threaded portion 206 of a common mop/broom handle 208 may be inserted into the handle cavity 200 via the handle cavity opening 202 and rotated to cause the threaded portion 206 of the handle 208 to threadingly engage the threaded portion 204 of the handle cavity 200. The handle 200 may be used to place the basket training article 100 in place relative to the basketball hoop 104 such that the basketball hoop mounting structure 118 is located within the gusset cavity 176. The hand 200 is then rotated to cause the threaded portion 206 of the handle 208 to dis-engage with the threaded portion 204 of the handle cavity 200 and be removed from the handle cavity 200. When positioned in this fashion, hoop shelf is supported by and resting on basketball hoop mounting structure 118 and the hoop shelf dampening structure 146 is configured to contact the backboard front 108, the first gusset dampening structure 158 is configured to contact the first gusset side plate 154 and the second gusset dampening structure 166 is configured to contact the second gusset side plate 162.

In accordance with the present invention, the basketball training article 100 may be constructed from any material suitable to the desired end purpose, such as wood, particle board, metal, plastic, composite material and/or any combination thereof of any thickness desired and suitable to the desired end purpose. For example, in one embodiment the basketball training article 100 may be constructed from 5 inch thick composite material. Additionally, it is contemplated that in other embodiments, the basketball training article 100 may be securely associated with at least one of the basketball backboard 102 and the basketball hoop 104 via any connecting article and/or method suitable to the desired end purpose, such as clip, hooks, snaps, Velcro®, and/or adhesive. Moreover, it is contemplated that in one or more embodiments, the Basketball Training Article 100 may be integrated into the basketball hoop or the basketball backboard.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, the embodiments or parts of the embodiments may be combined in whole or in part without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. 

We claim:
 1. A Basketball Training Article, comprising: a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear; a first gusset; and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.
 2. The Basketball Training Article of claim 1, wherein first gusset includes a first gusset top plate, a first gusset bottom plate and a first gusset rear plate.
 3. The Basketball Training Article of claim 1, wherein second gusset includes a second gusset top plate, a second gusset bottom plate and a second gusset rear plate.
 4. The Basketball Training Article of claim 1, wherein the Basketball Training Article defines a handle cavity having a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion is configured to threadingly engage with a threaded portion of a common broom/mop handle.
 5. The Basketball Training Article of claim 1, wherein the hoop shelf defines a shelf cavity which extends inwardly from the shelf front toward the shelf rear.
 6. The Basketball Training Article of claim 5, wherein the shelf cavity is shaped like a half circle.
 7. The Basketball Training Article of claim 5, wherein the shelf cavity has a shelf cavity circumference which ranges between approximately 18 inches and approximately 18.25 inches.
 8. The Basketball Training Article of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a hoop shelf dampening structure, a first gusset dampening structure and a second gusset dampening structure.
 9. The Basketball Training Article of claim 5, wherein the Basketball Training Article is configured to associate with a basketball hoop having a basketball hoop rim and a basketball hoop mounting structure, wherein when the Basketball Training Article is associated with the basketball hoop the basketball hoop rim is disposed within the shelf cavity and the basketball hoop mounting structure is disposed within the gusset cavity.
 10. The Basketball Training Article of claim 9, wherein the hoop shelf includes a shelf width which is sized to extend beyond the sides of the basketball hoop rim.
 11. A Basketball Hoop, comprising: a basketball hoop rim and a basketball hoop mounting structure; and a Basketball Training Article, wherein the Basketball Training Article includes, a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear, wherein the hoop shelf defines a shelf cavity; a first gusset; and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.
 12. The Basketball Hoop of claim 11, wherein the Basketball Training Article is configured to associate with the Basketball Hoop, wherein when the Basketball Training Article is associated with the Basketball Hoop the basketball hoop rim is disposed within the shelf cavity and the basketball hoop mounting structure is disposed within the gusset cavity
 13. The Basketball Hoop of claim 11, wherein the Basketball Training Article defines a handle cavity having a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion is configured to threadingly engage with a threaded portion of a common broom/mop handle.
 14. The Basketball Training Article of claim 11, wherein the shelf cavity extends inwardly from the shelf front toward the shelf rear.
 15. The Basketball Training Article of claim 11, wherein the shelf cavity is shaped like a half circle and has a shelf cavity circumference which ranges between approximately 18 inches and approximately 18.25 inches.
 16. A Basketball Backboard, comprising: a backboard front, a backboard top, a backboard bottom and a backboard rear; and a Basketball Training Article, wherein the Basketball Training Article includes, a hoop shelf having a shelf top, a shelf bottom, a shelf front and a shelf rear, wherein the hoop shelf defines a shelf cavity; a first gusset; and a second gusset, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are located securely associated with the shelf bottom to be located proximate the shelf rear, wherein the first gusset and the second gusset are configured to define a gusset cavity located between the first gusset and the second gusset.
 17. The Basketball Backboard of claim 16, wherein the Basketball Training Article is configured to associate with a Basketball Hoop having a basketball hoop rim and a basketball hoop mounting structure, wherein when the Basketball Training Article is associated with the Basketball Hoop the basketball hoop rim is disposed within the shelf cavity and the basketball hoop mounting structure is disposed within the gusset cavity
 18. The Basketball Backboard of claim 16, wherein the Basketball Training Article defines a handle cavity having a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion is configured to threadingly engage with a threaded portion of a common broom/mop handle.
 19. The Basketball Backboard of claim 16, wherein the shelf cavity extends inwardly from the shelf front toward the shelf rear.
 20. The Basketball Backboard of claim 16, wherein the shelf cavity is shaped like a half circle and has a shelf cavity circumference which ranges between approximately 18 inches and approximately 18.25 inches. 